How Trump’s Syria sanctions shift could rewrite country’s future

In a surprising departure from typical U.S. policy, President Donald Trump’s mid-May visit to the Middle East marked a dramatic pivot in Washington’s approach to Syria. According to a recent piece by Foreign Affairs, Trump’s decision to lift longstanding sanctions on Syria and publicly engage with Ahmed al-Sharaa—an interim Syrian leader and former al-Qaeda affiliate—signals a controversial but potentially transformative shift in U.S. strategy toward a war-torn nation desperate for economic revival and political stability.

For over four decades, Syria had been subject to U.S. sanctions rooted in its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. These sanctions, reinforced and expanded throughout Syria’s brutal civil war, effectively isolated the country economically and politically, strangling its prospects for reconstruction. Trump’s announcement to suspend these sanctions and the Treasury’s subsequent partial lifting, including sanctions waivers, stunned many observers who had expected continued hardline U.S. policy.

The Foreign Affairs article skillfully underscores the gravity of Syria’s current situation: over 90 per cent of Syrians live in poverty, and the country faces an economic collapse that could take decades to reverse. The removal of sanctions, while far from a panacea, offers a critical opening for foreign investment, economic reintegration, and a chance to rebuild sectors like oil, gas, and manufacturing—industries once crippled by war and embargo.

Yet, the article does not paint an overly optimistic picture. It warns that waivers are a stopgap measure; without full congressional approval to permanently lift sanctions, foreign investors may remain hesitant due to the looming risk of reimposed restrictions. Furthermore, sanctions relief alone cannot resolve Syria’s complex web of internal security challenges, sectarian tensions, and fractured governance.

The piece insightfully highlights how regional rivalries complicate Syria’s recovery. Israel’s ongoing military strikes and territorial incursions, alongside Türkiye’s ambitions for economic and maritime influence, threaten to undermine the fragile stability Trump’s sanctions shift seeks to foster. The U.S. is urged to leverage its newfound engagement to temper these tensions, encouraging regional powers to support Syria’s sovereignty rather than exploit its vulnerabilities.

Moreover, the article emphasises the indispensable role of governance reforms in Syria’s post-Assad transition. It critiques Washington’s narrow focus on security issues while neglecting political inclusivity and transparency—key elements that will determine whether Syria can avoid the pitfalls of corruption and sectarian conflict seen in post-conflict Iraq and Lebanon. Without genuine reforms, the risk of renewed violence or authoritarian backsliding remains high.

The broader regional and global stakes are also articulated well. Syria’s civil war has already displaced millions, reshaped Middle Eastern geopolitics, and fueled extremist movements. The lifting of sanctions could help reintegrate Syria into regional economic frameworks and reduce Iranian influence, but only if followed by sustained diplomatic and economic support.

In sum, the Foreign Affairs analysis presents Trump’s move as a bold but cautious first step toward normalising Syria’s international status. It calls on the U.S. and its allies to build upon this momentum by addressing both economic and political challenges comprehensively. The future of Syria depends not only on sanctions relief but also on responsible governance, regional cooperation, and sustained international engagement to prevent the country from descending once again into chaos.

By Vugar Khalilov